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Monday, November 30, 2015

After winning the wedding dress of her dreams, followed by meeting the man of her dreams and landing her dream job, Katie Fisher's life seems perfect ... until her boyfriend begins to pull away and her ex tries to find his way back into her life. No wonder she's confused!How can she choose between the love she thought she lost and the love she stumbled upon in the aftermath?Katie Fisher and Brady James may be a match made in heaven, but that doesn't seem to guarantee them a happily ever after accompanied by angelic choirs. Katie's almost-fiancé Casey is back in Fairfield, ready to rekindle their relationship. And there's nothing Katie's parents want more than for their small-town girl to leave Dallas and come home for good.But can she really leave Brady behind? And will she ever be able to wear that gorgeous wedding dress she won?Every Girl Gets Confused, book two in Janice Thompson's Brides with Style series, continues Katie Fisher's unlikely path toward happily ever after. Amid helping plan her grandmother's wedding, organizing a giant Black Friday event at the bridal shop, and dealing with Brady's knee surgery, Katie finds that her ex Casey wants back into her life. Her confusion is understandable: she loves Brady, but she has such history with Casey.

As I read this novel, I did something I very rarely do—I flipped to the end and read the final page when I was only about halfway through the book! I just needed to prepare myself if Katie and Brady were going to break up...so I guess you could say I care about these characters! (And no, I'm not going to tell you what I found out.)

The book is about so much more than Katie's love life, though—it's also about family, compromise, and faith. And those aspects make it much richer than if it had "just" been a romance novel.

Full of quirky, hilarious characters, Every Girl Gets Confused is a fun continuation of the story Thompson began in Every Bride Needs a Groom, and I'm now anxious to rejoin these characters in the upcoming Every Bride Has Her Day. 4 stars.

Read my reviews of Thompson's wedding novels Every Bride Needs a Groom (4 stars), A Bouquet of Love (4 stars) and Never a Bridesmaid (4-1/2 stars) and her Titanic romance Queen of the Waves (4-1/2 stars).Janice Thompson is a seasoned romance author and screenwriter. An expert at pulling the humor from the situations we get ourselves into, Thompson offers an inside look at the wedding business, drawing on her own experiences as a wedding planner. She is the author of the hugely popular Weddings by Bella series and the Backstage Pass series, as well as Picture Perfect, The Icing on the Cake, and The Dream Dress. She lives in Texas. Learn more at www.janiceathompson.com.Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell through the Revell Reads program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Saturday, November 28, 2015

We're all familiar with the story of Rapunzel—especially after the success of Disney's Tangled a few years ago. In her latest book in the Hagenheim/Fairy Tale Romance series, Melanie Dickerson gives us another welcome take on the age old fairy tale.The one who needs rescuing isn't always the one in the tower...Rapunzel can throw a knife better than any man. She paints beautiful flowering vines on the walls of her plaster houses. She sings so sweetly she can coax even a beast to sleep. But there are two things she is afraid her mother might never allow her to do: learn to read and marry.Fiercely devoted to Rapunzel, her mother is suspicious of every man who so much as looks at her daughter and warns her that no man can be trusted. After a young village farmer asks for Rapunzel's hand in marriage, Mother decides to move them once again—this time, to the large city of Hagenheim.The journey proves treacherous, and after being rescued by a knight—Sir Gerek—Rapunzel, in turn, rescues him farther down the road. As a result, Sir Gerek agrees to repay his debt to Rapunzel by teaching her to read. Could there be more to him than his arrogance and desire to marry for riches and position?As Rapunzel acclimates to life in a new city, she uncovers a mystery that will forever change her life. In this Rapunzel story unlike any other, a world of secrets and treachery are about to be revealed after seventeen years. How will Rapunzel finally take control of her own destiny? And who will prove faithful to a lowly peasant girl with no one to turn to?
My introduction to Melanie Dickerson came last year when I read The Princess Spy. It was a delightful retelling of The Frog Prince, and I immediately added Dickerson to my list of authors to watch. When I heard of The Golden Braid (and, let's be honest, first saw that gorgeous cover), I knew I wanted to read it.

Dickerson's Rapunzel is a young woman who knows her own mind and longs to chase her dreams—specifically, her dream of reading and writing—yet she has a deep respect for and devotion to her mother, who insists on sheltering her from the world. It's not until she meets Sir Gerek that she realizes her mother's rules and demands may come from a place of fear, rather than love.

Rapunzel and Gerek together are a great couple, and Dickerson clearly shows how they make each other better people—Rapunzel becomes brave enough to step out of her mother's shadow, and Gerek realizes the shallowness and selfishness of his own dreams.

The novel is full of action, adventure, and intrigue ... and, of course, love. It's listed as fiction (not YA fiction), but it's perfectly acceptable for a teen audience. It's a fast, easy read that is incredibly enjoyable! 5 stars.

Note: While The Golden Braid can be enjoyed without having read any of Dickerson's other novels, my favorite part came from reading about certain events from The Princess Spy from a new perspective, as The Golden Braid is set at the same time with several overlapping characters.See what others are saying.Buy the novel.Read my review of Dickerson's The Princess Spy(5 stars).

Melanie Dickerson is the author of The Healer's Apprentice, a Christy Award finalist and winner of the National Reader's Choice Award for Best First Book. Melanie earned a bachelor's degree in special education from the University of Alabama and has been a teacher and a missionary. She lives with her husband and two daughters in Huntsville, Alabama.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Friday, November 27, 2015

It’s that time of year. The time for buying presents, making wish lists, and planning New Year’s Resolutions. If any of those activities involve books for you, Indie Christian Authors has a perfect event for you.
From Nov 27 (that’s today!) through Nov 30th, more than 70 independent Christian books are on sale. You can find free shipping, $0.99 ebooks, package deals, and more! And if your budget is depleted from Christmas shopping, they’ve got you covered with some freebies.
Think 70 books is overwhelming? Narrow it down and find the perfect books for you or someone on your Christmas list by using this quiz to generate a customized book list.What awesome reads of 2015 are you grateful for? What books are you looking forward to reading in 2016?

A note on the Ebooks Only page. All books are listed as “Sold Out.” This only refers to paperback copies of these titles. Please click onto the product pages to find descriptions and links to discounted or free ebooks.

Acknowledgements: Thanks to Leah E. Good for her work organizing this sale, Gloria Repp for completing the time consuming job of uploading book info to the sale website, and Hannah Mills for her fantastic design work on the website graphics. Hannah can be contacted at hmills(at)omorecollege(dot)edu for more information about her design services.

Monday, November 23, 2015

When I first started reading A Broken Kind of Beautiful, I wondered if I'd enjoy it at all. A story about a model? How could I relate to that? Oh, how wrong I was!Sometimes everything you ever learned about yourself is wrong.Fashion is a fickle industry, a frightening fact for twenty-four year old model Ivy Clark. Ten years in and she’s learned a sacred truth—appearance is everything. Nobody cares about her broken past as long as she looks beautiful for the camera. This is the only life Ivy knows—so when it starts to unravel, she’ll do anything to hold on. Even if that means moving to the quaint island town of Greenbrier, South Carolina, to be the new face of her stepmother’s bridal wear line—an irony too rich for words, since Ivy is far from the pure bride in white.If only her tenuous future didn’t rest in the hands of Davis Knight, her mysterious new photographer. Not only did he walk away from the kind of success Ivy longs for to work maintenance at a local church, he treats her differently than any man ever has. Somehow, Davis sees through the façade she works so hard to maintain. He, along with a cast of other characters, challenges everything Ivy has come to believe about beauty and worth. Is it possible that God sees her—a woman stained and broken by the world—yet wants her still?
Every so often (and it's really not often enough, in my opinion), you come across a book that grips you from the opening pages and sticks with you long after you've turned the final page. A Broken Kind of Beautiful is one such book.

As I began reading, I did not like Ivy at all—which could have been a problem, considering she's the main character. But ultimately I connected with this book in a way that I don't often experience. I could go into great detail here, but that would end up being a bit too personal. (You should have seen my first draft!) I will say that I deeply identified with Ivy's step-mother Marilyn's story. Though I have no idea what it's like to be barren and have a husband who strayed, I do know what it's like to have your life not turn out like you'd planned. I know the pain of not having a husband or children. To see how God redeemed Marilyn's story—in a way she wouldn't have imagined—spoke to me.

I finished this book with tears streaming down my cheeks. It's not a romance in the traditional sense—while there is a bit of romance between Davis and Ivy, the real romance is between a Heavenly Father and his children. His pursuit of Ivy—and Davis—and Marilyn—is depicted beautifully. This may not have been the most romantic of books in the classic way, but it certainly touched my heart. 5 stars.Buy the novel.Read my reviews of Ganshert's An October Bride(5 stars), The Perfect Arrangement (5 stars), andWildflowers from Winter(5 stars).Katie Ganshert was born and raised in the exciting state of Iowa, where she currently resides with her family. She likes to write things and consume large quantities of coffee and chocolate while she writes all the things. She's won some awards. For the writing, not the consuming. Although the latter would be fun. You can learn more about Katie and these things she writes at her website www.katieganshert.com.Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase an item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Sunday, November 22, 2015

Over the past couple years, I've enjoyed reading Lynn Austin's Restoration Chronicles, and I was especially excited for On This Foundation, as it's Nehemiah's story. Nehemiah has been special to me ever since I selected the book of Nehemiah for a project in my Old Testament class at Grace. I really enjoyed reading this fictionalization of Nehemiah's story.Stone by Stone, the Wall Will Rise Once More Around God's CityWhen news reaches him that Jerusalem's wall is shattered and its gates burned with fire, a distraught Nehemiah seeks God's guidance in fasting and prayer. Granted an unexpected leave from his duty as cupbearer to the Persian king Artaxerxes, Nehemiah sets out for Jerusalem to rebuild the city wall--never anticipating all the dangers that await him on his arrival.The leaders of the surrounding nations become his fierce enemies, plotting to assassinate him and stop the wall's reconstruction forever. A drought, meanwhile, has left the country impoverished, with many families resorting to selling their children as bondservants just to keep from starving. Capturing the rebuilding of the wall through the eyes of a number of characters, On This Foundation is the powerful conclusion to The Restoration Chronicles. This exploration of faith in the midst of oppression offers hope that, in spite of appearances, the gracious hand of God is upon those who believe.On This Foundation details Nehemiah's journey from being cupbearer to King Artaxerxes to becoming governor of Judah and rebuilding Jerusalem's wall. But Nehemiah isn't the only focus of the book. Perhaps even more fascinating are the stories of Nava, a young woman who becomes a bondservant to the wealthy Malkijah to help pay off her family's debts, and Chana, the woman Malkijah hopes to marry. Something that I've noticed as I've read this series is that Austin is able to craft very engaging side stories—something that's essential for a tome of more than 400 pages!

I must say that On This Foundation didn't go where I expected (aside from the building of the wall), something I greatly appreciated. In fact, I spent about three quarters of the novel wondering, along with Chana, if Malkijah was someone to be trusted or feared. The way his story turned out (along with the stories of Chana and Nava) was a powerful lesson in trusting God. I always appreciate when authors incorporate biblical lessons without forcing them into the plot!

If you're a fan of biblical fiction—or good historical fiction—then I suggest you pick up this series right away. And now that it's finished, you won't have to wait a year between installments! 5 stars.Buy the novel.Read my reviews of the other Restoration Chronicles: Return to Me (4.5 stars) and Keepers of the Covenant(5 stars).Bestselling author Lynn Austin has sold more than one million copies of her books worldwide. She is an eight-time Christy Award winner for her historical novels, as well as a popular speaker at retreats and conventions. Lynn and her husband have raised three children and live near Chicago.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free for review from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase an item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Saturday, November 21, 2015

Imagine the potential for awkward: your boyfriend has just proposed, you've said "no," and now you have to spend Christmas week in the middle of nowhere with his entire family. That's the situation in which Katie finds herself in An Endless Christmas.Too many people, too much snow, and too little room should be a recipe for disaster.Christmas takes a very different turn when the guests of honor break up instead of announcing their engagement. Trapped with his family, they learn that love looks different than either imagined. Both in their eighties, Dodie and Wilson Binder celebrate every Christmas as if it were their last. This year, their grandson Micah is planning to ask his girlfriend, Katie, to marry him so they can celebrate with the whole family. But things go very wrong when she says, "no." Now they are stuck. Too many people, too much snow, and too little room should be a recipe for disaster. But sometimes too much is just enough. Especially when it's Christmas.
'Tis the season for all things Christmas: Hallmark Christmas movies playing 24/7, Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You," Christmas decorations, holiday baking, and—of course—Christmas reading. An Endless Christmas fits that last category, though it's far from the fluffy romance that comprises many Christmas novellas. In fact, while there is romance, An Endless Christmas is more about embracing family and cherishing each other than it is about romantic love.

We never know when we'll have our last Christmas all together as a family—a fact that has become more real to me after the deaths of three of my four grandparents. That's a concept the Binder family embraced, and I loved reading about their traditions and extreme love for each other. I also thought the way they rallied around each other and clung to the Lord amidst difficulty was inspiring and realistic. (I may have shed a few tears.)

The majority of the story is told from Katie's perspective, and I enjoyed trying to learn about the family members and figure out what was wrong with Grandpa Wilson along with her. However, I never quite understood Katie's hesitance to accept Micah's proposal. When her reasons were revealed, they seemed a little too inconsequential to me—that doesn't mean they were inconsequential, but I certainly didn't understand them.

I did enjoy almost everything about the novel, especially the way Ruchti told the story. I knew that she and I would be on the same page when she touched on one of the things that annoys me most in romances—"just talk about it already" syndrome. As Katie said to Micah, "It frustrates me when I read a novel about a conflict between people that goes on and on when all they'd need to do is sit down and talk to each other for a few minutes" (p. 103). At that moment, I wanted to give Ruchti a high five :-)

With a plot that I could easily see as a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie, An Endless Christmas is both a good read and challenging. As I head into the Christmas season, I will certainly be considering how I can make the most of each experience with my family. 4 stars.

Drawing from 33 years of on-air radio ministry, Cynthia Ruchti tells stories of hope-that-glows-in-the-dark through her novels and novellas, nonfiction books and devotionals, and speaking for women's and writers' events. Her books have been recognized by Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Awards, Selah Awards, the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, Christian Retailing's BEST Awards, and Carol Award nominations, among other honors, including a Family Fiction Readers' Choice Award. She and her plot-tweaking husband live in Pittsville, Wisconsin, not far from their three children and five grandchildren.

Connect with Cynthia: website, Twitter,FacebookThere's no getting out of Christmas now, despite Katie rejecting Micah's marriage proposal. Cozy up this holiday season with Cynthia Ruchti's new novella, An Endless Christmas. The Binder family celebrates every Christmas as if it were their last. Too many people, too much snow, and too little room should be a recipe for disaster. But sometimes too much is just enough. Especially when it’s Christmas.

Celebrate the holidays with Cynthia and An Endless Christmas by entering her $100 Target gift card giveaway!

One grand prize winner will receive:

A copy of An Endless Christmas

A $100 gift card to Target

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on November 30th. The winner will be announced December 1st on Cynthia's blog.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Thursday, November 19, 2015

I'm sure you know by now that I love all things Jane Austen—film adaptations, novels loosely based on her work, parodies, anything. So when the author of Christmas with Miss Austen contacted me about reviewing her novella, I jumped at the chance.Julia Allen is a waitress by day, painter by night, and…a famous 1800s authoress on weekends? Moonlighting as Jane Austen for a historical open house is a strange hobby for a contemporary artist, but Julia loves the role–until she falls asleep and gets locked inside after all the visitors are gone! Rushing home from the dark, historical mansion, she collides with a stranger in the snowy park, and discovers later her shortcut cost her the rare copy of Austen’s Northanger Abbey borrowed from a friend’s treasured collection. Book historian Eliot Weston thinks he imagined the Regency-era figure, but the book he finds in her wake proves otherwise. The first edition of Jane Austen’s novel is authentic and incredibly rare, but he fails to find any trace of its owner. Reminders of the unusual encounter keep popping up, however, like the pretty modern artist eager to buy an identical volume. Coincidence? Or Divine intervention making it clear this is anything but an ordinary Christmas for these two hearts? Christmas with Miss Austen is the story of Julia, and artist/waitress who moonlights as Jane Austen at a historic house during the holiday season. When she loses a first edition Northanger Abbey belonging to a friend, she enlists the help of book historian Eliot to find another, unaware that he found the very copy she lost.

Christmas with Miss Austen does several things very well. The author uses Jane Austen as a basis for the plot, rather than adapting one of Austen's novels in a modern setting, so she's not bound by one Austen plot. I also appreciated all the name references: Eliot, Collins, Pemberley, etc. Julia and Eliot are a fun pair with undeniable chemistry, and their journey to romance was endearing. I also loved Eliot's relationship with his little sister, and their interactions were some of my favorites throughout the novella.

While overall I very much enjoyed Christmas with Miss Austen, it does suffer from what I like to call "just talk about it already" syndrome. (I talk about the syndrome here.) Why Julia doesn't just tell Eliot she lost Northanger Abbey in the park or why Eliot doesn't tell her he found a copy in the park is beyond me! (I mean, if either of those things happened, the novella would be considerably shorter ...)

Perfect for a wintry evening, Christmas with Miss Austen is an enjoyable romance. It may not be a book that sticks with you, but you'll definitely enjoy it while you're reading it. 3-1/2 stars.Buy the novella.Laura Briggs's first published work was Only in Novels, a short romance story from Pelican Book Group that garnered a CAPA award nomination. She has since published several other titles with the same company, all featuring an Inspirational Romance theme. Among her independently published works are a series of wedding-themed romances and Jane Austen-inspired fiction. Laura is also the co-author of a series of Grimm-esque fantasy-themed fairytale retellings known as The Dark Woods.Sign up for her newsletter at http://bit.ly/1TUcI1A

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free for review from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Today, I'm happy to be a stop on the Heartwarming Thanksgiving Tour! I love promoting clean reads, and the books in the Harlequin Heartwarming line fit the bill. Throughout this tour, we'll be highlighting 13 FREE short stories by beloved Harlequin Heartwarming authors that will be available from Harlequin during November. All Heartwarming titles are 30% OFF during November from Harlequin as well! Use code HEART1115.

TODAY'S FREE SHORT STORY:

Thankful for You by Karen Rock

A HAPPY REUNION?

Way back when, Hunter Boone thought he and Josie Stephens had something that would last forever. Then she got her ticket out of town and took off—alone. The hurt nearly tore him apart. By the time Josie realized she'd made a mistake, Hunter had already married.

Now Josie's back in Stonewall Crossing, and while instant fire flares between them, she can't come between the now single dad and his son. As the whole town gets ready for Christmas, Josie finds it hard to avoid Hunter. No matter how much he tempts her with the promise of a future together, she has to tell herself—for her own survival—that relationships just aren't her thing…

Maggie James has worked hard to get over her commitment phobic ex, Lt. Eric Langley. Yet old feelings resurface when they’re reunited to put on a Thanksgiving dinner for foster children displaced by their group home’s fire. She still loves Eric, but she’d grown up vowing to have the traditional, nuclear family her loving parents provided and won’t accept anything less. This time around, does she dare give them a second chance?

After watching his vibrant mother retreat from life following his firefighter father’s tragic death, Lt. Eric Langley vowed never to inflict that pain on anyone, especially Maggie. When she’d begun talking kids, marriage, it’d nearly killed him to break things off. But how could he take the risks his job required, if he worried about a family counting on his safety? Although he’d shut away his pain when he and Maggie had broken up, his old feelings rush back after one glimpse of her beautiful face. He should want to avoid her, but feels thankful for this time together instead. Is it possible some surprising wisdom from the children he saved, could rescue him, too?

Rushing headlong to make a deadline for an upcoming Harlequin Heartwarming, HERS FOR KEEPS, I received an email from our Senior Editor, Victoria Curran, subject line: Thanksgiving Short Read. Intrigued, I bypassed the oh-so-tempting Bed Bath and Beyond savings offer and opened her note. Was I ever glad that I did! Our marketing department approved a plan for select Heartwarming authors to write eight thousand word short reads that would be free downloads all through November.

I was honored to be asked and immediately said, “YES”! Then, reality set in. I still had over fifty thousand words on my current WIP to write in just five weeks. How could I also create and pen an additional story that would be due during the same time period? I took a long hard look at my calendar (I always write my writing goals in it), and immediately started penciling in writing days on the weekends. I also extended my work day into evening hours (buh-bye to America’s Got Talent and the start of fall TV line-up… sigh*) But, in the end, it was worth it and my Thanksgiving Short Read, THANKFUL FOR YOU, was born. I’m absolutely thrilled with the second chance love story I wrote for a secondary character in another romance I’d set in the Adirondacks, RAISING THE STAKES. In that book, two best friends co-own a diner. I wanted to give Maggie James, a woman who admires the gutsy gals she grew-up watching in black and white films with her grandmother, the happily-ever-after she deserved.

From her retro, vintage style, independent spirit, and traditional values of wanting a nuclear family, Maggie is a lot like her idol, Katharine Hepburn. She’s strong willed and knows what she wants, and what she wanted from her ex, firefighter Lt. Eric Langley, was her white picket fence dream. Instead, he broke her heart six months ago by ending their two-year relationship when she’d begun talking marriage and kids. Now he’s back, and talking kids again, only this time it’s to ask for her help in putting on a dinner for the displaced foster kids after their group home burned. It was fun to imagine how Maggie, who admires strong, traditional woman, would handle herself as she works with Eric during a holiday that makes everyone grateful for the ones they love and appreciate the value of family.

Lt. Eric Langley is carrying on his generations-old family legacy of fighting fires. After watching his vibrant mother retreat from life following his father’s death, he’d vowed never to inflict that pain on anyone, especially Maggie. When she’d begun talking kids, marriage, it’d nearly killed him to break things off. But how could he take the risks his job required, if he worried about a family counting on his safety? The dynamic of putting together two great people, like Eric and Maggie, who are so perfect for each other but can’t see how to overcome their obstacles, made this an engrossing story to write. I hope you’ll feel the same way when you read it.

Karen Rock is an award-winning YA and adult contemporary author. She holds a master’s degree in English and worked as an ELA instructor before becoming a full-time author. Most recently, her Harlequin Heartwarming novels have won the 2015 National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award and the 2015 Booksellers Best Award. When she's not writing, Karen loves scouring estate sales, cooking and hiking. She lives in the Adirondack Mountain region with her husband, daughter and Cavalier King Charles spaniels.

Tour GiveawayGrand Prize: Harlequin Heartwarming Year Subscription (Provided by Harlequin and to US/CAN only)$40 VISA card (US only)13-Book Heartwarming Prize Pack:The Best Laid Plans, Back to McGuffy's, If I Loved You, Love, Lies & Mistletoe, First Comes Marriage, Once Upon A Marriage, Small Town Secrets, Winter Wedding Bells, If Not For A Bee, When The Right One Comes Along, Wedding of His Dreams, After The Silence, and A Memory Away (print copies if US, ebooks if international)9-Book Prize Pack:The Best Laid Plans, If I Loved You, Love, Lies & Mistletoe, First Comes Marriage, Once Upon A Marriage, When The Right One Comes Along, Winter Wedding Bells, If Not For A Bee, and After The Silence (print copies if US, ebooks if international)

Monday, November 16, 2015

Earlier this year, I told you about my experience with Pizza Ranch (longest. speech meet. ever.) and the Living Hope CD they were selling in their stores. Well, Pizza Ranch is back with another album--this time, it's a Pizza Ranch-exclusive version of MercyMe's new Christmas album, MercyMe, It's Christmas!

MercyMeIt’s Christmas​ CD will be available in Pizza Ranch locations November 1, 2015, through December 31, 2015. It has four exclusive songs that can only be found on the CD version being sold by Pizza Ranch. Each CD will be sold for $5 plus tax. Pizza Ranch will give away the CD with a $25 gift card purchase, as well as sell the full album at each of its 200 locations throughout the Midwest and Great Plains states. "We are so excited to debut our new Christmas album, MercyMe, It’s Christmas, with Pizza Ranch” said Bart Millard with MercyMe. “Pizza Ranch is a fantastic restaurant with a great mission to glorify God. It's the perfect gift to give this Christmas season and the perfect CD to get you in the Christmas spirit.”

While it's not yet "officially" Christmas music season, I've been making an exception for this MercyMe album. The perfect mix of new songs and Christmas classics, upbeat tunes and contemplative ballads, MercyMe, It's Christmas! is an album that can be listened to over and over ... and I should know, as I've been playing it in my office for over a week! (And I dare you to listen to "Christmastime Again" and "Hold on Christmas" without tapping your toe!)

If you get the Pizza Ranch version of the album, it's only $5, and it contains four exclusive tracks. (As of right now, the CD is selling for over $10 on Amazon, so this is a great deal!) I am a big fan of this album, and I think you will be too! 5 stars.
Not only did I get to enjoy this great CD, but I also have a copy to give away! Enter through the Raffelcopter below.

Giveaway rules: Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win. Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. Contest is open in the US and CANADA only. Winner will be selected at random using Rafflecopter.com and will have 48 hours to respond to email notification, or another winner will be chosen.

About Pizza Ranch:
Cultivating its mission “To give every guest a legendary experience” since its inception in 1981, Pizza Ranch connects with its communities in a way that provides bridges for friends, family and colleagues to come together. Today, Pizza Ranch is based in Orange City, Iowa and owns, operates and franchises over 190 locations in 13 states. Consistent growth has been a Pizza Ranch staple, as the brand has become a beacon of community involvement and exceptional food. The Pizza Ranch buffet features legendary pizzas, salads and desserts, and is delivered with an unmatched service quality. “We are extremely blessed to have a very close connection with our guests,” said Adrie Groeneweg, co-founder and president of Pizza Ranch. “This project extends the brand’s essence to a new dimension beyond our four walls and into their lives. It’s a new kind of way for us to relate to our loyal fans.”

Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

Thursday, November 12, 2015

I've been a longtime reader of Colleen Coble's novels. Some I've loved (The Inn at Ocean's Edge), most I've liked, and I few I've not connected with. So I wondered where I'd fall with these novellas. I'm happy to report that both fall into the "like" category ... though one is very close to "love."Return to two of Colleen Coble’s most beloved settings—Bluebird Ranch and Hope Beach—for holiday romance and mystery!
All Is CalmIt’s going to be an unexpectedly romantic Christmas at Bluebird Ranch.Brendan Waddell has always considered Bluebird Ranch a little piece of heaven: an idyllic ranch that pairs abused children with abused horses, run by one of his Marine buddies. Now, it seems just the place to spend Christmas recovering from an on-the-job injury.Lauren Everman first came to the ranch as a foster kid, but now knows it’s the perfect hideout. As the witness to a murder, Lauren needs somewhere to lie low. Her beauty immediately catches Brendan’s attention—but so does her secretive behavior. This Special Ops Intel man knows a woman on the run when he sees one. Can he trust her, or is she putting the ranch at risk? One thing is certain: he’s going to do everything he can to keep her safe so he can see what magic Christmas brings.
All Is BrightA romantic Christmas wedding at Tidewater Inn gives Delilah’s unique gifts a chance to shine. But will her light be snuffed out before the bride and groom say “I do”?As manager of the Tidewater Inn, Delilah Carter has been planning a spectacular Christmas wedding for her friend, Elin Summerall. But when Delilah’s car is forced off the road and into the ocean, she finally has to admit that the strange phone calls she’s been receiving lately may be more than just pranks.Sheriff Tom Bourne has always had a soft spot for Delilah, and he’s determined to protect her. He hopes to win her heart by giving her the surprise gift of a lifetime . . . but first he has to make sure nothing happens to her before Christmas Day.It’s the season of miracles. But will both Elin and Delilah get the ones they need this holiday season?All Is Calm marks a return to Bluebird Ranch (Lonestar series). Lauren, who stayed at Bluebird Ranch as a foster child, returns on the run with her beloved horse after becoming a person of interest in a murder investigation. When Marine Brendan agrees to help her clear her name, sparks fly.

I enjoyed this novella, though the "love at first sight" nature bugged me a bit. (Nothing against Coble—it's a personal preference that I've talked about before.) Also, what I thought would be a major plot point (Lauren buying but not really buying her horse) never turned into anything—it just felt like a dropped thread. Still, I found the novella enjoyable; it's a great holiday read. 3-1/2 stars.
I came into All Is Bright without having first read Coble's Hope Beach series, so I felt like I had a bit of a disadvantage. I didn't know the back stories of any of the characters and had trouble keeping them straight at times. (I don't think readers will encounter the same trouble with All Is Calm—it's a much more self-contained story.) But the romance between Tom and Delilah? Loved it. Theirs was definitely not a case of insta-love; the two had known each other for a few years and shared many friends—just the kind of romance I like. I also loved the subplot of Delilah's missing brother, which had a sweet resolution. Overall, I loved All Is Bright, and now I'd like to read the Hope Beach novels. 4-1/2 stars.
Readers of Coble's Lonestar and Hope Beach novels will enjoy this return to the beloved settings, and new readers who get a taste of the characters will surely want to go back and read the series. These novellas are perfect for a cold winter evening. 4 stars.Buy the book.Read my reviews of Coble's Inn at Ocean's Edge (5 stars), Lonestar series (Lonestar Secrets; Lonestar Angel, 3 stars), Under Texas Stars series (Blue Moon Promise, 3-1/2 stars; Safe in His Arms, 3-1/2 stars), The Lightkeeper's Daughter, the Journey of the Heart series (A Heart's Disguise, 4 stars; A Heart's Obsession, 3 stars; A Heart's Danger, 4 stars; A Heart's Betrayal, 3 stars; A Heart's Promise, 4 stars; and A Heart's Home, 3-1/2 stars).Colleen Coble has sold over 2 million novels worldwide. Seagrass Pier, the third installment in her acclaimed Hope Beach series, marks a new highpoint for emotion and complexity in Coble's addictive brand of romantic suspense.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through The Fiction Guild. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

A Reason to Stay is an intriguing story about a disintegrating marriage and love in the midst of tragedy.Sometimes the thing that keeps us from making the wrong choice is the one thing we can't controlAs an investigative reporter and the host of her own TV talk show, Faith Marin works to expose the truth for her viewers. But in her personal life, she's anchored her world with firm boundaries in order to hide a family history she'd like to forget. By contrast, her husband Geary's life is an open book. An easygoing pro bass fisherman, Geary is the ultimate family man--and his overbearing relatives don't know the meaning of boundaries.Faith and Geary haven't been married long when their differences start to derail their tender relationship. Surely love shouldn't be this hard. While Faith considers whether divorce is the only answer to their issues, tragedy strikes. With her life in the balance, she finds that the one she has been shutting out may be the very one she cannot bear to lose.Kellie Coates Gilbert takes you on an emotional roller coaster as she weaves together unexpected trial, self-discovery, and forgiveness in this profoundly honest portrait of the tensions that can break a marriage--and the ultimate healing power of love.
Reporter Faith and competitive fisherman Geary have a whirlwind courtship, but once they're married, their differing goals quickly cause problems in their marriage. Just when Faith is ready to pull the plug on their relationship, tragedy strikes, and with it comes a second chance at healing.

While A Reason to Stay is largely Faith's story, Geary is far and away my favorite character. His love for Faith through the good times and bad powerfully illustrates the meaning of "'til death do us part." I was not such a fan of Faith, especially pre-injury. This is probably because I couldn't identify with her extreme career ambition, so every time she chose work over family, I sided with Geary.

The story is very compelling, especially as it's told with flashbacks interspersed throughout. So as Faith's recovery story is being told, so is her rise to prominence at the station and her marriage's descent into trouble. Both stories slowly unfold—until the end. When I turned the final page before the epilogue, I was surprised, as the ending came very quickly. It was almost like the author hit the appropriate number of pages and needed to wrap up, even if the story wasn't quite to that point.

Overall, though, I did enjoy A Reason to Stay ... I just wish I'd been more prepared for it to end. 3-1/2 stars.Buy the book.Kellie Coates Gilbert is a former legal investigator and trial paralegal and the author of A Woman of Fortune and Where Rivers Part. Gilbert crafts her emotionally charged stories about women in life-changing circumstances in Dallas, Texas, where she lives with her husband. Learn more at www.kelliecoatesgilbert.com.Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell through the Revell Reads program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase an item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Saturday, November 7, 2015

Intertwined deals with a topic that I haven't much encountered in Christian fiction: two divorced leads dealing with custody issues. I think it's a welcome addition to the genre, as so many people face similar problems.Abandoned by her husband for another woman, Tammy Kuhn, an organ procurement coordinator often finds herself in tense and bitter moments. After an altercation with a doctor, she is fighting to keep her job and her sanity when one late night she encounters her old flame Nick. She walks right into his moment of facing an unthinkable tragedy. Because they both have learned to find eternal purposes in every event and encounter, it doesn’t take long to discover that their lives are intertwined but the ICU is no place for romance….or is it? Could this be where life begins again?
Intertwined, part of New Hope Publisher’s contemporary fiction line, is a great reminder of how God can turn our greatest tragedies and failures into beautiful acts of love and grace. Readers will fall in love with the realistic characters and enjoy the combination of depth, heart-felt emotion and humor that makes Jennifer’s novels so appealing. Readers will be inspired to find God in every moment and encounter in their own lives!
I have conflicting feelings when it comes to Intertwined. First of all, I'm glad it was written, as I'm sure many women who read the book (or men, though this book is clearly geared toward women) will be able to identify with Tammy's feelings of abandonment and the bitterness that creeps in or with Nick's desperation to do what's best for his son despite an ex who is poisoning his son against him.

My favorite parts of the novel involved the mystery behind Nick's father and Tammy's search for childcare, which resolved in an unexpected (yet very realistic) way. Notice that I didn't mention the romance? That's because it's not really there. Much is said about Tammy's and Nick's feelings for one another, but no relationship materializes until very late in the book. Had they had undeniable chemistry, I think the wait would have been fine, but as it was, I cared much more about Tammy and Nick individually than I did about them as a couple.

That said, Intertwined is a good read, as long as you don't go into it with high romance expectations (which I had because of the cover). If you look at it as a story about two people trying to rebuild their lives after divorce and unthinkable tragedy who just happen to wind up together, it's a pretty good book. 3 stars.Buy the book.Read my review of Slattery's When Dawn Breaks (4 stars).Jennifer Slattery writes missional romance novels for New Hope Publishers. Her debut, Beyond I Do, released in August 2014. She also writes Christian Living articles for Crosswalk.com and devotions for her personal blog, JenniferSlatteryLivesOutLoud; Internet Cafe Devotions; and Takin' it to the Streets', a ministry serving Omaha Metro's working poor and homeless.When she's not writing, she enjoys reading, hanging out at the mall with her teenage daughter, enjoying her real-life hero husband, or serving in her church or community.Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free for review from the author and publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase an item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Thursday, November 5, 2015

Last spring, I read Brooke Williams' Accept This Dandelion, inspired by the Bachelor franchise. I got such a kick out of it (see my review) that when I heard there was a sequel, I couldn't wait to get my hands on it.

Twelve men…one woman…plenty of dandelions.

Eva Merida has her life in order. She loves her job at the Furry Friends Rescue League and has a loving, supportive family. But she’s still missing that one special person to stand by her side. When she comes in third place on the local TV version of “The Bachelor,” entitled Accept this Dandelion, she nearly loses all hope for romance. Fortunately, the TV station decides to do a second season of the dating show…and they name Eva as the Bachelorette! With a plethora of dating mishaps recorded for TV, Eva finds herself falling for several men at once…including the show’s host. Will she find love at last or simply embarrass herself in front of the entire city?

Dandelions on the Road is, in essence, The Bachelorette—just on a smaller scale. Eva Merida, a contestant on Accept this Dandelion, is the bachelorette handing out the weeds, and the host is Brian Schaffer (from Williams' Wrong Place, Right Time). Williams takes on the question I've often wondered about when watching The Bachelorette: What if the host falls in love with the woman he's supposed to be helping find a husband? The result is an enjoyable journey to love ... with a few bumps along the way!

I really enjoyed the "on the road" nature of this book, especially when the contestants traveled to places I know! (One of the dates takes place at Mahoney State Park, which I've visited many times. Another date is at Adventureland in Iowa; while I've never been there, I've driven past it on numerous occasions.)

The dates Eva goes on are fun and humorous, and I enjoyed her interactions with her suitors. I do wish that some of the men had been fleshed out a bit more, and I expected the obligatory man there for the "wrong reasons" to have more of a story than he did. I also didn't quite buy Eva and Brian's romance. Their attraction was readily apparent, but when Eva finally made her decision, it seemed to come out of left field. (That said, I did appreciate Brian's grand romantic gesture!)

While Dandelions on the Road isn't my favorite of Williams' novels, it is enjoyable, and I hope to continue with this series. 3-1/2 stars.

Join the Nov. 5th Release Day Party on FacebookHERE Enjoy giveaways and fun chats!

Add “Dandelions on the Road” to your Goodreads list HERERead my reviews of Williams' Accept this Dandelion(4 stars), Wrong Place, Right Time (3-1/2 stars), and Mamarazzi(4 stars).Brooke Williams writes in a sleep-deprived state while her daughters nap. Her romantic comedy is best read in the same state. Brooke has twelve years of radio in her background, both behind the scenes and on the air. She was also a television traffic reporter for a short time despite the fact that she could care less about hair and make-up. Today, Brooke stays at home with her daughters and works as a freelance writer for a variety of companies. When she isn’t working for paying clients, she makes things up, which results in books like “Dandelions on the Road.” Brooke is also the author of " Mamarazzi," "Accept this Dandelion," “Wrong Place, Right Time,” “Someone Always Loved You,” and “Beyond the Bars.” She even has children's books on the market, such as "Shower in the Rain" and looks forward to releasing “Baby Sheep Gets a Haircut” in June 2016 with Wee Creek Press. Brooke and her husband Sean have been married since 2002 and have two beautiful daughters, Kaelyn (6) and Sadie (2).

I wrote "Accept this Dandelion" in a silly, sleep-deprived mood and thought that was it. But the characters in the book kept coming back to me, begging me to continue the story. Eventually, I listened, turned the tables, put a woman in charge, and created "Dandelions on the Road." I got so much joy from writing it, I'm glad I did! Now I just hope those reading it get even half the pleasure I got from writing it.

She has two more completed novels entitled:

After the Final Dandelion

and

The Leftover

Watch her website for details on upcoming releases....Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free for review from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Earlier this year, I went to see the movie Do You Believe? with friends. Prior to the film, we saw several previews for upcoming faith-based films. Faith of Our Fathers was one of them, and after seeing the preview, I knew it was a film I wanted to see.John Paul and Wayne are two young men in search of their fathers. Problem is...their fathers have been dead for more than 25 years. Eddie and Steven are two young men in search of their sons...whom they've never met. In 1969, Eddie and Steven are with their squad deep in the jungle of Vietnam on a five-day mission to retrieve fallen comrades. They write letters to their wives, often mentioning their love for their sons, one, who is an infant and one yet to be born. In 1997, John Paul and Wayne go on a five day road trip to the Vietnam Wall in Washington DC to see their fathers' names. Along the way, reading those letters, they begin to get an understanding of who their fathers were and how they died. Trials and mishaps, both funny and sad, complicate the road trip for the boys. The horrors of war and the testing of faith manifest themselves for the young men in Vietnam. Ultimately, in parallel stories - more than 25 years apart - the fathers and sons are bound together forever. Faith of Our Fathers is told in parallel stories during the Vietnam War and in 1997. Eddie and Steven gave their lives together in Vietnam; more than 25 years later, their sons Wayne and John Paul embark on a search to know their fathers.

At its heart, Faith of Our Fathers is a road movie, as strangers Wayne and John Paul travel from Mississippi to Washington, D.C. to visit the Vietnam Wall. This is actually where I feel like the film falters a bit, as it's never quite funny enough, some of the situations are bizarre without being humorous, and sometimes the acting seems a bit forced. The Vietnam portion, while much shorter, is much stronger, and the "modern" section improves greatly once the road trip hijinks are finished. And—I can't believe I'm about to say this, as I'm generally not a fan of his acting—Stephen Baldwin is one of the highlights of the film (just don't get me started on his "old man" makeup ...).

All that is not to say this is a bad film—far from it, in fact. It just suffers from some of the same weaknesses that many faith-based films do: uneven acting and jokes that don't quite land. That said, this is one of the better faith-based films I've seen; better than God's Not Dead and Facing the Giants, and not quite as good as Courageous and Do You Believe. It's safe for the whole family (that PG-13 rating is due to war violence, but it's mostly off screen and nearly bloodless), and it's worth watching and discussing. 3-1/2 stars.

Now comes the fun part! I have a copy of the DVD to give away to one of my readers! Enter through the Rafflecopter below.

Giveaway rules: Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win. Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. Contest is open in the US and CANADA only. Winner will be selected at random using Rafflecopter.com and will have 48 hours to respond to email notification, or another winner will be chosen.a Rafflecopter giveawayAbout the film:Runtime: 96 minutesGenre: DramaRating: PG-13 (for brief war violence)Starring: Stephen Baldwin, Kevin Downes, David A.R. White, Rebecca St. James, Si Robertson, Candace Cameron Bure, Scott Whyte, and Sean McGowan.Special Features of the DVD:-The Heart of Faith of Our Fathers-Honoring Father's Day-Commemorating Memorial Day-Si Robertson Interview-Stephen Baldwin InterviewOFFICIAL WEBSITEFACEBOOKTWITTEROFFICIAL TRAILERSHARE ABOUT SOMEONE OR SOMETHING THAT'S IN YOUR PRAYERS TODAY!BUY THE FILM

Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. Also, some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase an item, I will receive an affiliate commission.

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